“Fuck!” Xiang Han was dumbfounded and keenly felt Xu Yan Ze’s body go stiff before trembling uncontrollably. His first reaction was to hold the other person’s hand in an attempt to console him with forced laughter, “I’m fine. D-Don’t worry…”
In the next instant, the translator standing behind the physician suddenly threw out a handful of white powder while simultaneously charging at Xu Yan Ze with a sword. Xiang Han felt a sharp pain stabbing his eyes, followed by the sound of metal clashing. He seemed to have felt the wind rushing past his ears.
Xu Yan Ze was momentarily blinded but relying on the sound of the wind around him, he accurately seized his enemy’s wrist and broke it with a clear, crisp sound. The translator let out a shrill cry as the dagger clattered to the ground.
Xu Yan Ze immediately grabbed the blade and sliced the other’s throat, ignoring his scream. Seeing that their assassination attempt had failed, the physician tried to snatch the dagger but was no better than the translator. Sorrow had caused Xu Yan Ze to act ruthlessly, sending them to death in just one move.
All these changes happened too quickly. Before the guards could react, two people were dead. Xiang Han felt a warm liquid splash on his face and before he could react, another wave came. The scent of blood filled his nostrils.
Xu Yan Ze held his face with trembling hands, his touch as light as a feather. Then, he suddenly grew frantic and shouted, “Where’s the physician? Call him now!”
The guards returned to their senses and everything fell into panic.
Big A gave a low curse as his consciousness nearly fell through. He shouted, [009, quickly take over the body… no, hurry up and pull him back.]
[Wait.] Xiang Han interrupted them. He blinked for a few seconds before asking, [Is this body… unable to go on?]
[…Yes.]
Xiang Han pursed his lips and suddenly said, [Then don’t bother. Don’t pull me back yet. Let me… stay with him a little longer.]
Seeing this, Big A felt something strange in his chest and wanted to comfort him. [Don’t worry. I’ll let 009 help you pick out a new body…]
Xiang Han didn’t pay any attention, merely lifting a hand with all his strength to touch Xu Yan Ze’s cheeks. Feeling this touch, he quickly grabbed Xiang Han’s hands and pressed it against his face. His voice was filled with fear and sorrow, “Little Fool, don’t be afraid. You’ll be fine. The doctor is coming, you’ll be fine. Nothing will happen…”
He was at a loss for words, not knowing if he was consoling Xiang Han or himself.
Xiang Han’s hands were cold and could distinctly feel the tears. There was a sharp pain in his heart but he forced a laugh, “I’m fine… don’t worry. When the doctor comes… d-don’t be too harsh. We can still be together in the next life. Don’t be too sad…”
However, these words only made Xu Yan Ze tremble more fiercely. By the time the physician arrived, dark blood was dripping from Xiang Han’s lips but he was still forcing himself to speak.
Xu Yan Ze planted his lips against Xiang Han’s forehead, kissing him repeatedly as he begged, “Don’t speak anymore. Don’t speak, let the doctor take a look, alright? You’ll be alright…”
Looking at Xiang Han’s appearance, the physician didn’t even take his pulse before dropping to his knees.
Xu Yan Ze couldn’t see. Sensing that the physician didn’t move forward, he shouted angrily, “Where is he? Why isn’t he here?”
The physician trembled. “M-Marquis, the young master, h-he… Even if the golden immortal himself came, there’s no way of saving.”
The old madam had just arrived with Jin Xue Li when she immediately fainted. Jin Xue Li stood at the entrance and muttered, “How can this be? Didn’t you say there’s hope?”
Xu Yan Ze’s heart was frantic and his eyes were bloodshot from rage, but Xiang Han used all his strength to hold on to him. He struggled to speak to the physician. “I-It’s fine. His eyes were… hurt by the powder. Q-Quick help him to take a look…”
Xu Yan Ze suddenly seemed to have calmed down. He no longer troubled the physician. After his sight recovered, he dully said, “All of you, leave.”
The guards hurriedly cleared the area, forcing Jin Xue Li and the others out. When dragging away the corpse, a firework signal rolled out.
Xu Yan Ze abruptly laughed. His laugh was full of mockery. The Turkic Emperor and the capital had a strange relationship. Since the emperor knew he was going to the Turks, how could he not inform them and seek cooperation?
Although he knew of such a possibility, he had still chosen to believe in a moment of desperation. He believed the Turkic Emperor wanted cooperation, believing he had sufficient strength. In the end, his arrogance not only hurt himself, it even hurt his Little Fool.
The Turkic Emperor must have deployed his troops. Once Xu Yan Ze was killed, the Northern Army would be just like a headless dragon without their leader. When that time comes, wouldn’t it be easy for him to have his finger in this pie?
Xu Yan Ze gritted his teeth and tasted the fishy metallic tang in his mouth. After a moment, he coldly ordered, “Inform the military research department to set up the traps along the wayside from Yan Hui Guan to Jin Zhou. Afterwards, release their firework signal to attract the Turks and finish them all.”
Hearing this, Xiang Han knew the Turks were doomed. The latest weapons the military research department had built were firearms. Due to their destructive power, it has never been used before.
However, he could no longer think further. Xu Yan Ze’s growing silence caused him to feel more restless. He quietly comforted him, “Don’t be too sad. We… still have a next life. Look, you can even remember your past life. I’ll definitely… remember you. When that time comes, I’ll look for you… okay? So, don’t be too sad…”
Xu Yan Ze gripped his hand tightly with tears in his eyes but his laugh was full of warmth. “Alright, but you must not go to the world from my past life. There are too many bad people there. Someone as silly as you… would definitely be bullied…”
“B-Bullshit. I’m not silly…”
“But you still can’t go. A powerful person like me was pushed to the zombies, what about you…”
“Mn.” Xiang Han made a sound and finally closed his eyes.
Xu Yan Ze’s breath stopped. His fingertips approached the other’s nose but before he could get near, he immediately retracted his hand.
At this time, Xiang Han slowly opened his eyes and Xu Yan Ze revealed a look of joy.
Shame washed over him. Xiang Han asked Big A in confusion, [Why am I not dead? Could my heart have been on my right?”
[Ah, it’s like this.] Big A finally explained. [Your body is dead, but your consciousness is holding it up. Once you are pulled back, the host body will immediately die.]
[Didn’t I say, how can a stab victim not be dead after such a long time?] Xiang Han understood. He looked at Xu Yan Ze unwillingly one last time and shut his eyes. [Pull me back out.]
Xu Yan Ze watched blankly as Xiang Han abruptly opened his eyes and gave him a smile before closing them again. His mood fluctuated. Wasn’t this akin to giving him hope, then destroying it?
Big A was speechless, silently thinking that this was the most abusive part.
[009, what’s the target’s emotional fluctuation value?]
System: [85 to 90.]
Almost there. Having reached 80 was considered high for normal people. After a moment of silence, Big A instructed, [Take note, pull them both out at the same time.]
A sudden force assaulted him as Xiang Han found himself back in the virtual space. Big A’s virtual consciousness was projected there. It was watching the multidimensional image intently, not even bothering to turn back. Sensing Xiang Han’s approach, he merely called out, “You’re back. Take a seat.”
When he looked over, Xiang Han couldn’t help but freeze. The image showed the scene at Chenghui Courtyard. In the yard, Xu Yan Ze was tightly clinging onto him with an expression full of indescribable sorrow. The ground was still stained with blood. Xiang Han unconsciously went nearer and seemed to even be able to smell the bloody scent.
Xu Yan Ze suddenly moved. He gently helped ‘Xiang Han’ comb his hair and wipe his face.
Xiang Han’s heart was astringent, the lump in his throat was growing bigger. He reached out a hand to touch the other person, but his fingertips went through it like air.
Xiang Han was frozen as Big A explained, “We can’t touch them in this virtual space. It’s just like watching a movie.”
Xiang Han retracted his hand and glanced at Xu Yan Ze again. “What are you doing? Where’s Little Nine and Small B?”
“009 is still in your body… I mean Jin Bao Han’s body, attempting to drag the general back into this space. Roy, he… Ahem, he’s busy so we went offline.”
When he mentioned Little B, Big A’s words grew muddled but Xiang Han didn’t notice. He merely gave a sound and continued to observe the image.
After helping ‘Xiang Han’ rearrange his clothes and change into a new set, Xu Yan Ze carried him into the carriage. He gave a light kiss onto the other’s forehead and whispered, “Wait till I’ve taken my revenge. We’ll be together forever?”
Xiang Han had a bad feeling. He turned around to ask, “What’s he doing?”
Big A: “… Didn’t he say he was going to take revenge?”
“Why haven’t you guys pulled him back? Got stuck?” Xiang Han was growing strangely impatient.
Big A couldn’t reply.
“009, why did the value stop moving?”
[It failed.] Came the system’s mechanical hum.
Big A and Xiang Han: “…”
“Forget it, hurry and find a suitable body for Mr Xiang to return.” Big A was helpless. Although there was no resonance, the emotional fluctuation value was at 90, not low. How could it fail?”
“How long would it take to find one?” Xiang Han was anxious. The journey back to Jin Zhou from Yan Hui Guan was a battlefield of crossfire. The rumble of explosions kept going and half the Turk’s soldiers were down. Just as they were growing anxious, the 100,000 soldiers from Jin Wu swarmed them, their battle cries reaching the heavens.
In the carriage, Xu Yan Ze’s eyes were still red but his lips were curved into a small smile. Watching for a little, he suddenly pulled the curtains shut and gently rubbed ‘Xiang Han’s’ face and whispered, “I expect that the emperor would definitely need some more time. Before that, we’ll use the Turk’s water pearls to preserve your body, alright?”
There was no reaction from ‘Xiang Han’. His smile stiffened and his arms tightened. “I promise it won’t take long. Don’t be angry, alright?”
The system trembled. [Can I go back into the virtual space to choose?]
Big A: “Don’t. The fluctuation value is changing. There might be a chance, don’t give up.”
Xiang Han was speechless. He simply turned his attention to Xu Yan Ze.
Before long, the system replied. [The results are out, but… there’s only a 80-year-old granny, or a newly born infant.]
Xiang Han: “…”
Big A was silent. “How old is the infant?”
“10 days.”
Big A: “…”
“Forget it.” Xiang Han shook his head and steeled his heart. “How about this, when does this world end? Can we move on to the next one soon?”
Big A sighed, “If we know where he’d go next, we’ll be able to pull him out directly.”
Xiang Han froze for a second. Ultimately, he could only be a bystander, watching as Xu Yan Ze stomped on the Turkic Emperor and pulled out the water pearl to carefully use it on his body.
However, the unexpected happened. Once the water pearl was absorbed by the corpse, it began to rot immediately. Xu Yan Ze’s pupils shrunk as he went crazy, trying to pull the pearl back, but it was already too late. Every inch of ‘Xiang Han’s’ body was rotting; it looked extremely revolting, just like the zombies he’d seen in his past life.
Xu Yan Ze was like a mad person, clinging onto the corpse. He tried to pick up the bones that had scattered with trembling hands, wanting to put them back as he muttered, “It can’t be. How can this be? It can’t be happening…”
The Turkic Emperor, who’d been captured, laughed sinisterly and mocked, “Do you really think there’s such a thing that can preserve a corpse? It’s nothing more than a corrosive. Hahaha…”
The system gave a cry. [God, the body is almost gone. General Dean, can I return first?]
However, Xiang Han acted as if he hadn’t heard anything. He suddenly knelt down and embraced the holographic projection, his voice broken, “Don’t pick them anymore…”
Eventually, only his bones were left and even its head had tumbled to the ground. Xu Yan Ze finally stopped before carefully picking it back up as if holding a precious treasure. Xiang Han suddenly covered his eyes and sobbed, “Stop picking them up…”
Lightly touching the bones, Xu Yan Ze’s bloodshot eyes were deep, like an endless vortex condensing amidst a typhoon.
“Fuck!” Xiang Han was dumbfounded and keenly felt Xu Yan Ze’s body go stiff before trembling uncontrollably. His first reaction was to hold the other person’s hand in an attempt to console him with forced laughter, “I’m fine. D-Don’t worry…”
In the next instant, the translator standing behind the physician suddenly threw out a handful of white powder while simultaneously charging at Xu Yan Ze with a sword. Xiang Han felt a sharp pain stabbing his eyes, followed by the sound of metal clashing. He seemed to have felt the wind rushing past his ears.
Xu Yan Ze was momentarily blinded but relying on the sound of the wind around him, he accurately seized his enemy’s wrist and broke it with a clear, crisp sound. The translator let out a shrill cry as the dagger clattered to the ground.
Xu Yan Ze immediately grabbed the blade and sliced the other’s throat, ignoring his scream. Seeing that their assassination attempt had failed, the physician tried to snatch the dagger but was no better than the translator. Sorrow had caused Xu Yan Ze to act ruthlessly, sending them to death in just one move.
All these changes happened too quickly. Before the guards could react, two people were dead. Xiang Han felt a warm liquid splash on his face and before he could react, another wave came. The scent of blood filled his nostrils.
Xu Yan Ze held his face with trembling hands, his touch as light as a feather. Then, he suddenly grew frantic and shouted, “Where’s the physician? Call him now!”
The guards returned to their senses and everything fell into panic.
Big A gave a low curse as his consciousness nearly fell through. He shouted, [009, quickly take over the body… no, hurry up and pull him back.]
[Wait.] Xiang Han interrupted them. He blinked for a few seconds before asking, [Is this body… unable to go on?]
[…Yes.]
Xiang Han pursed his lips and suddenly said, [Then don’t bother. Don’t pull me back yet. Let me… stay with him a little longer.]
Seeing this, Big A felt something strange in his chest and wanted to comfort him. [Don’t worry. I’ll let 009 help you pick out a new body…]
Xiang Han didn’t pay any attention, merely lifting a hand with all his strength to touch Xu Yan Ze’s cheeks. Feeling this touch, he quickly grabbed Xiang Han’s hands and pressed it against his face. His voice was filled with fear and sorrow, “Little Fool, don’t be afraid. You’ll be fine. The doctor is coming, you’ll be fine. Nothing will happen…”
He was at a loss for words, not knowing if he was consoling Xiang Han or himself.
Xiang Han’s hands were cold and could distinctly feel the tears. There was a sharp pain in his heart but he forced a laugh, “I’m fine… don’t worry. When the doctor comes… d-don’t be too harsh. We can still be together in the next life. Don’t be too sad…”
However, these words only made Xu Yan Ze tremble more fiercely. By the time the physician arrived, dark blood was dripping from Xiang Han’s lips but he was still forcing himself to speak.
Xu Yan Ze planted his lips against Xiang Han’s forehead, kissing him repeatedly as he begged, “Don’t speak anymore. Don’t speak, let the doctor take a look, alright? You’ll be alright…”
Looking at Xiang Han’s appearance, the physician didn’t even take his pulse before dropping to his knees.
Xu Yan Ze couldn’t see. Sensing that the physician didn’t move forward, he shouted angrily, “Where is he? Why isn’t he here?”
The physician trembled. “M-Marquis, the young master, h-he… Even if the golden immortal himself came, there’s no way of saving.”
The old madam had just arrived with Jin Xue Li when she immediately fainted. Jin Xue Li stood at the entrance and muttered, “How can this be? Didn’t you say there’s hope?”
Xu Yan Ze’s heart was frantic and his eyes were bloodshot from rage, but Xiang Han used all his strength to hold on to him. He struggled to speak to the physician. “I-It’s fine. His eyes were… hurt by the powder. Q-Quick help him to take a look…”
Xu Yan Ze suddenly seemed to have calmed down. He no longer troubled the physician. After his sight recovered, he dully said, “All of you, leave.”
The guards hurriedly cleared the area, forcing Jin Xue Li and the others out. When dragging away the corpse, a firework signal rolled out.
Xu Yan Ze abruptly laughed. His laugh was full of mockery. The Turkic Emperor and the capital had a strange relationship. Since the emperor knew he was going to the Turks, how could he not inform them and seek cooperation?
Although he knew of such a possibility, he had still chosen to believe in a moment of desperation. He believed the Turkic Emperor wanted cooperation, believing he had sufficient strength. In the end, his arrogance not only hurt himself, it even hurt his Little Fool.
The Turkic Emperor must have deployed his troops. Once Xu Yan Ze was killed, the Northern Army would be just like a headless dragon without their leader. When that time comes, wouldn’t it be easy for him to have his finger in this pie?
Xu Yan Ze gritted his teeth and tasted the fishy metallic tang in his mouth. After a moment, he coldly ordered, “Inform the military research department to set up the traps along the wayside from Yan Hui Guan to Jin Zhou. Afterwards, release their firework signal to attract the Turks and finish them all.”
Hearing this, Xiang Han knew the Turks were doomed. The latest weapons the military research department had built were firearms. Due to their destructive power, it has never been used before.
However, he could no longer think further. Xu Yan Ze’s growing silence caused him to feel more restless. He quietly comforted him, “Don’t be too sad. We… still have a next life. Look, you can even remember your past life. I’ll definitely… remember you. When that time comes, I’ll look for you… okay? So, don’t be too sad…”
Xu Yan Ze gripped his hand tightly with tears in his eyes but his laugh was full of warmth. “Alright, but you must not go to the world from my past life. There are too many bad people there. Someone as silly as you… would definitely be bullied…”
“B-Bullshit. I’m not silly…”
“But you still can’t go. A powerful person like me was pushed to the zombies, what about you…”
“Mn.” Xiang Han made a sound and finally closed his eyes.
Xu Yan Ze’s breath stopped. His fingertips approached the other’s nose but before he could get near, he immediately retracted his hand.
At this time, Xiang Han slowly opened his eyes and Xu Yan Ze revealed a look of joy.
Shame washed over him. Xiang Han asked Big A in confusion, [Why am I not dead? Could my heart have been on my right?”
[Ah, it’s like this.] Big A finally explained. [Your body is dead, but your consciousness is holding it up. Once you are pulled back, the host body will immediately die.]
[Didn’t I say, how can a stab victim not be dead after such a long time?] Xiang Han understood. He looked at Xu Yan Ze unwillingly one last time and shut his eyes. [Pull me back out.]
Xu Yan Ze watched blankly as Xiang Han abruptly opened his eyes and gave him a smile before closing them again. His mood fluctuated. Wasn’t this akin to giving him hope, then destroying it?
Big A was speechless, silently thinking that this was the most abusive part.
[009, what’s the target’s emotional fluctuation value?]
System: [85 to 90.]
Almost there. Having reached 80 was considered high for normal people. After a moment of silence, Big A instructed, [Take note, pull them both out at the same time.]
A sudden force assaulted him as Xiang Han found himself back in the virtual space. Big A’s virtual consciousness was projected there. It was watching the multidimensional image intently, not even bothering to turn back. Sensing Xiang Han’s approach, he merely called out, “You’re back. Take a seat.”
When he looked over, Xiang Han couldn’t help but freeze. The image showed the scene at Chenghui Courtyard. In the yard, Xu Yan Ze was tightly clinging onto him with an expression full of indescribable sorrow. The ground was still stained with blood. Xiang Han unconsciously went nearer and seemed to even be able to smell the bloody scent.
Xu Yan Ze suddenly moved. He gently helped ‘Xiang Han’ comb his hair and wipe his face.
Xiang Han’s heart was astringent, the lump in his throat was growing bigger. He reached out a hand to touch the other person, but his fingertips went through it like air.
Xiang Han was frozen as Big A explained, “We can’t touch them in this virtual space. It’s just like watching a movie.”
Xiang Han retracted his hand and glanced at Xu Yan Ze again. “What are you doing? Where’s Little Nine and Small B?”
“009 is still in your body… I mean Jin Bao Han’s body, attempting to drag the general back into this space. Roy, he… Ahem, he’s busy so we went offline.”
When he mentioned Little B, Big A’s words grew muddled but Xiang Han didn’t notice. He merely gave a sound and continued to observe the image.
After helping ‘Xiang Han’ rearrange his clothes and change into a new set, Xu Yan Ze carried him into the carriage. He gave a light kiss onto the other’s forehead and whispered, “Wait till I’ve taken my revenge. We’ll be together forever?”
Xiang Han had a bad feeling. He turned around to ask, “What’s he doing?”
Big A: “… Didn’t he say he was going to take revenge?”
“Why haven’t you guys pulled him back? Got stuck?” Xiang Han was growing strangely impatient.
Big A couldn’t reply.
“009, why did the value stop moving?”
[It failed.] Came the system’s mechanical hum.
Big A and Xiang Han: “…”
“Forget it, hurry and find a suitable body for Mr Xiang to return.” Big A was helpless. Although there was no resonance, the emotional fluctuation value was at 90, not low. How could it fail?”
“How long would it take to find one?” Xiang Han was anxious. The journey back to Jin Zhou from Yan Hui Guan was a battlefield of crossfire. The rumble of explosions kept going and half the Turk’s soldiers were down. Just as they were growing anxious, the 100,000 soldiers from Jin Wu swarmed them, their battle cries reaching the heavens.
In the carriage, Xu Yan Ze’s eyes were still red but his lips were curved into a small smile. Watching for a little, he suddenly pulled the curtains shut and gently rubbed ‘Xiang Han’s’ face and whispered, “I expect that the emperor would definitely need some more time. Before that, we’ll use the Turk’s water pearls to preserve your body, alright?”
There was no reaction from ‘Xiang Han’. His smile stiffened and his arms tightened. “I promise it won’t take long. Don’t be angry, alright?”
The system trembled. [Can I go back into the virtual space to choose?]
Big A: “Don’t. The fluctuation value is changing. There might be a chance, don’t give up.”
Xiang Han was speechless. He simply turned his attention to Xu Yan Ze.
Before long, the system replied. [The results are out, but… there’s only a 80-year-old granny, or a newly born infant.]
Xiang Han: “…”
Big A was silent. “How old is the infant?”
“10 days.”
Big A: “…”
“Forget it.” Xiang Han shook his head and steeled his heart. “How about this, when does this world end? Can we move on to the next one soon?”
Big A sighed, “If we know where he’d go next, we’ll be able to pull him out directly.”
Xiang Han froze for a second. Ultimately, he could only be a bystander, watching as Xu Yan Ze stomped on the Turkic Emperor and pulled out the water pearl to carefully use it on his body.
However, the unexpected happened. Once the water pearl was absorbed by the corpse, it began to rot immediately. Xu Yan Ze’s pupils shrunk as he went crazy, trying to pull the pearl back, but it was already too late. Every inch of ‘Xiang Han’s’ body was rotting; it looked extremely revolting, just like the zombies he’d seen in his past life.
Xu Yan Ze was like a mad person, clinging onto the corpse. He tried to pick up the bones that had scattered with trembling hands, wanting to put them back as he muttered, “It can’t be. How can this be? It can’t be happening…”
The Turkic Emperor, who’d been captured, laughed sinisterly and mocked, “Do you really think there’s such a thing that can preserve a corpse? It’s nothing more than a corrosive. Hahaha…”
The system gave a cry. [God, the body is almost gone. General Dean, can I return first?]
However, Xiang Han acted as if he hadn’t heard anything. He suddenly knelt down and embraced the holographic projection, his voice broken, “Don’t pick them anymore…”
Eventually, only his bones were left and even its head had tumbled to the ground. Xu Yan Ze finally stopped before carefully picking it back up as if holding a precious treasure. Xiang Han suddenly covered his eyes and sobbed, “Stop picking them up…”
Lightly touching the bones, Xu Yan Ze’s bloodshot eyes were deep, like an endless vortex condensing amidst a typhoon.
